Browsing by Subject "Treatment"

Now showing 1 - 20 of 31

Adherence to oral antidiabetic medications in the pediatric population with type 2 diabetes
(2011-05) Adeyemi, Ayoade Olayemi; Rascati, Karen L.; Strassels, Scott A.; Lawson, Ken A.
The present study involved the analyses of the Texas Medicaid prescription claims data. The population studied was made up of subjects between 10 and 18 years who had at least 2 prescriptions of the same oral antidiabetic (OAD) medication from January 1, 2006 through December 31, 2009. Twelve months’ data for each subject were analyzed. The main aim of the study was to describe OAD medication use patterns in the study population, assess trends in Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) and persistence in the study population and determine the relationship between age and MPR and between age and persistence while controlling for covariates. Results of the descriptive statistics, multiple and logistic regression analyses are reported. The average age (± SD) of the 3,109 eligible subjects was 14 (± 2) years; minority populations made up the majority (87%) of the population; 67% of the population were females; and 91% were on the OAD metformin. The overall mean MPR (± SD) for the population was 45% (± 27). A significant negative relationship between MPR and age was reported while controlling for covariates (p<0.0001). Among the covariates, white race and male were significantly associated with a higher MPR, holding other variables constant. When adherence was dichotomized (MPR < 80% and MPR >= 80%), logistic regression analysis also found that age was significantly and negatively related to MPR (p < 0.0001). In addition, the white race and male were again significantly related to a higher level of adherence, holding other variables constant. The overall mean days to non-persistence (± SD) was 108 days (± 86). Persistence was significantly and negatively associated with age, holding other variables constant (p < 0.0001). Among the covariates, white race was significantly related to longer persistence. In conclusion, adherence and persistence are generally low in the study population. Age, gender and race were significantly associated with adherence. Being younger, male, and white were significantly associated with a higher level of adherence, while being younger and white were significantly associated with longer persistence. Healthcare providers therefore need to intensify efforts to improve adherence in pediatric patients especially those at the brink of adulthood.
An evaluation of preference of delays to reinforcement on choice responding : a translational study
(2020-02-05) Shpall, Cayenne Sarah; Falcomata, Terry S.
Delays to reinforcement are often a necessary component during treatments of challenging behavior (e.g., Functional Communication Training; FCT). In the absence of programmed delay training, the utility and generality of FCT may be limited. Despite the importance of delays to reinforcement during FCT, few studies have empirically isolated and investigated the parameters pertaining to the implementation of delays to reinforcement. Results from basic empirical studies have shown that variable delays, or bi-valued mixed delays to reinforcement, are preferred in humans and nonhuman studies. The current research examined response allocation between fixed and mixed delays to reinforcement using a concurrent schedule of reinforcement. Results showed preference for mixed delays to reinforcement with 4 out of 4 participants. Potential avenues of future research on the use of mixed delays to reinforcement, such as the application within FCT and maintenance of socially appropriate behaviors, are discussed.
Considerations for stuttering assessment and treatment of individuals with cerebral palsy and intellectual impairment
(2017-05) Wineholt, Lindsey Lee Marie; Byrd, Courtney T.
Stuttering can be present in individuals with cerebral palsy (CP). Adding complexity to these cases, intellectual impairment is likely to co-occur with CP. Although the number of these cases is small, no literature exists that addresses best practices for this specific population. Clinical considerations are needed to guide speech-language pathologists in assessment and treatment of stuttering for individuals with CP and intellectual impairment. This paper highlights specific issues and provides recommendations for clinicians when assessing and treating stuttering in cases of this type. In the future, empirical evidence is needed regarding best practices for assessment and treatment of stuttering in individuals with CP and intellectual impairment.
The effect of treatment on the quality of harvested rainwater
(2012-05) Keithley, Sarah Elizabeth; Kirisits, Mary Jo; Kinney, Kerry A.
Harvested rainwater is an alternative water resource that can be utilized to help meet the world's growing demand for fresh water. Although harvested rainwater is often considered to have adequate physical and chemical qualities, its microbial quality has been found lacking. This study sought to better understand the effect of common treatment processes on the quality of harvested rainwater for potable use by examining two treatment processes: (1) batch chlorination followed by filtration, and (2) filtration followed by ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The batch chlorination studies used rainwater harvested from four pilot-scale roofs in Austin, Texas with different roofing materials: concrete tile, green, Galvalume[Trademark] metal, and asphalt-fiberglass shingle. Chlorine tends to react with natural organic matter and produce disinfection byproducts (e.g., trihalomethanes (THMs)) that are harmful to human health. Chlorinating rainwater harvested from the metal and concrete roofs achieved adequate disinfection (total coliforms less than 1 colony forming unit per 100 mL) without forming THMs that exceed the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) limit of 80 [mu]g/L for public water systems. Chlorinating rainwater harvested from the shingle roof achieved adequate disinfection but had the potential to form excessive THMs. Chlorinating rainwater harvested from the green roof, which had the highest concentration of dissolved organic carbon, did not achieve adequate disinfection and formed THMs that were four times higher than the USEPA limit. Filtering the chlorinated rainwater from every roofing material with a block activated carbon filter generally resulted in increased bacteria concentrations and decreased THM concentrations. To study the effect of UV irradiation, cistern-stored and treated rainwater were sampled from a full-scale residential system in Austin, Texas, where the owner uses rainwater as his primary potable water supply. UV irradiation at the full-scale system effectively disinfected rainwater when the turbidity and total coliform concentrations were low, but disinfection was compromised as these two parameters increased as the drought progressed in 2011 and the ambient temperature increased. This research suggests that under certain conditions, treatment by either chlorination or UV irradiation can improve the quality of harvested rainwater so that it conforms to drinking water standards for public water systems.
The energy-water nexus : energetic analysis of water and wastewater treatment, distribution and collection
(2014-12) Kjellsson, Jill Blosk; Webber, Michael E., 1971-
The water sector is responsible for a significant portion of energy use. Energy is required for water treatment, water distribution, wastewater collection and wastewater treatment. There is significant benefit to water utilities that can be gained by understanding how much energy, what type of energy, and at what time of day energy is being used. The Austin Water Utility (AWU) is a useful testbed for examining the energy use for each specific step of the process due to the availability of data and the fact that the majority of Texas (both in terms of population and land area) is serviced by a single electric grid. This research examines the type and quantity of energy used by AWU. From an electricity supply perspective, electric utilities work year round to ensure that there is enough electricity in their generation portfolios to meet the high loads that their customers demand, and to assure that the electric distribution grid is capable of providing the transmission requirements of that electricity. System peak demand is the largest amount of electricity consumed by a utility's customers at any given time. Therefore electric utilities, such as Austin Energy, create and market their energy efficiency programs to help reduce this peak and avoid the need to build new generation capacity which can be expensive. Because AWU is one of Austin Energy's largest customers, AWU's ability to shift its energy use from on-peak to mid-peak and off-peak time periods can contribute towards reducing the peak, and can help avoid the need for new generation capacity. This analysis finds that AWU can reduce its electricity demand during peak periods by making use of reservoir capacity, i.e. by filling its reservoirs prior to peak time and draining them during peak periods. This proposed pumping schedule could save AWU up to 29% of its monthly electricity costs under current Austin Energy time-of-use rate (as opposed to flat rate) structures at the specific pump station analyzed as part of this research. Together, state-wide water utilities provide even more opportunities for the interconnected Electric Reliability Council of Texas' (ERCOTs) grid that are also evaluated in this research.
Estimating the effect of exercise on mental health : review and Bayesian network meta-analysis
(2022-08-14) Carl, Emily Christine; Smits, Jasper A. J.; Powers, Mark B.; Hixon, J. G.; Carlson, Caryn; Holohan, C. J.
Mental health disorders are debilitating and costly. Although effective pharmacological and psychological treatments exist, first-line treatments fall short for a meaningful proportion of individuals. Further, barriers such as economic limitations or unfavorable attitudes toward treatments impede receipt of services. Exercise for mental health has received particular attention in recent decades as an accessible, acceptable, and cost-effective intervention for mental health disorders. This dissertation aims to contribute to this literature by providing an overview and by applying an advanced meta-analytic technique to summarize the effects of exercise for depression. First, I conduct a qualitative overview of the literature of exercise for mental health. This includes the acute effects of exercise on affect and cognition, and long-term effects from cross-sectional and longitudinal studies. Next, I summarize the evidence for putative mechanisms that have received particular attention, including psychosocial constructs (e.g., general self-efficacy) and neurobiological elements (e.g., brain-derived neurotrophic factor). I synthesize the available clinical trials of exercise as an intervention for any mental health disorders. This review of the literature reveals that an impressive volume of empirical evidence has been collected recently, but also highlights inconsistency. In major depressive disorder (MDD), the mental health diagnosis with the largest body of evidence for exercise, a number of meta-analyses have been conducted with a broad range of conclusions. I discuss the rationale and methodology of network meta-analysis as an approach to resolve these conflicts, including the advantages, assumptions, statistics, graphical presentations, and interpretation. Finally, I conduct a Bayesian network meta-analysis of exercise for MDD. The overall effect of exercise was significant and large compared to waitlist or no treatment (SMD = 1.04) and significant and medium compared to inpatient treatment as usual (SMD = 0.57). The overall effect of exercise did not significantly differ from antidepressant medication (ADM) or cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT). The effect of adjuvant exercise showed a small-to-medium, nonsignificant effect when added to ADM or CBT compared to those interventions alone, indicating that more evidence is needed. In a second model, effects of specific interventions (e.g., resistance exercise; aerobic exercise + sertraline) are estimated. In general, confidence intervals were quite broad, suggesting that more evidence is needed and the size of effects should be interpreted with caution. To conclude, the best available estimate of the effect of exercise for MDD indicates that it is similar to ADM or CBT in its effects, and may exert a small additional effect when added to monotherapy. While effects of specific types of interventions may vary, nearly all exercise approaches outperformed waitlist, including nonspecific physical activity interventions. Finally, the significant effect of exercise compared to psychiatric TAU, along with the evidence that inpatient psychiatric TAU has a small effect, suggested that supervised exercise should be considered as an effective addition to inpatient treatment.
Evaluation of a healthy-weight treatment program for bulimia nervosa : a preliminary randomized trial
(2006-08) Burton, Emily Weisner; Stice, Eric; Carlson, Caryn L.
The role of dieting in the etiology and maintenance of bulimia nervosa remains unclear, and current treatments, which primarily aim to eliminate dieting behaviors, demonstrate limited efficacy. The purpose of this study was to conduct a randomized treatment trial to test whether healthy dieting maintains bulimic symptoms or effectively reduces this eating disturbance. Female participants (N=85) with full and subthreshold bulimia nervosa were randomly assigned to a 6-session healthy dieting intervention or waitlist condition and assessed through 3-month follow-up. Relative to control participants, intervention participants showed modest weight loss during treatment and demonstrated significant improvements in bulimic symptoms that persisted through follow-up. These preliminary results suggest that this intervention shows potential for the treatment for bulimia nervosa and may be worthy of future refinement and evaluation. Results also provide experimental evidence that dieting behaviors do not maintain bulimia nervosa, suggesting the need to reconsider maintenance models for this eating disorder.
Expressive writing therapy for adults who stutter : a literature review and proposal for clinical application
(2017-05) Bailey, Catherine Elizabeth; Byrd, Courtney T.
The current psychotherapeutic literature on expressive writing therapy offers an evidence-based template for how speech-language pathologists might adapt the technique to treat adults who stutter. Expressive writing therapy builds on the existing clinical tradition of journaling or writing during therapy sessions for people who stutter and has the following advantages: a) ease of administration b) economical dosage c) measurable outcomes. Speech-language pathologists can follow the general guidelines laid out in expressive writing therapy trials while adapting the intervention for adults who stutter in clinical practice. No research has tested the effectiveness of this technique with adults who stutter, but existing research supports its use in this population. This report summarizes the findings of research trials of expressive writing therapy and suggests preliminary guidelines for its application with adults who stutter.
Facilitating transfer and maintenance in school-aged children who stutter : a guidebook for clinicians
(2014-05) Wong, Allison Mei-Li; Byrd, Courtney T.
This report was developed to: a) enhance the clinician’s understanding of transfer and maintenance as it relates to stuttering, b) explore the unique challenges that face the school-aged population, c) examine research outside of the field that may be of benefit for school-aged stuttering clients, and d) provide the clinician with examples and activities that will facilitate the transfer and maintenance of stuttering treatment. The report will include a brief discussion of transfer and maintenance. The remainder of the report will focus on facilitating transfer and maintenance by increasing motivation, self-efficacy, realistic goal setting, and self-regulation.
Fundamentals of auditory impairment for the speech-language pathologist
(2017-05) Martinez, Liana Marie; Campbell, Julia (Julia Dee); Sundarrajan, Madhu
The purpose of this guide is to outline the fundamentals of speech, language, and hearing that are needed for speech-language pathologists (SLPs) to work with children with auditory impairment (AI). Specifically, SLPs must understand the basics of audiology and aural rehabilitation when working with the auditory impaired population and the impact hearing problems have on speech and language. A primary goal of this report is to describe and critically examine principles of evidence-based practice and treatment approaches specifically designed for and/or commonly used with AI patients. This report breaks down some of the most essential information an SLP may need when working with children with AI, specifically sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL), including but not limited to the following: causes and types of auditory impairment, understanding an audiogram, types of amplification systems, communication options, and treatment methods.
IRB Research Proposal: Understanding barriers to substance abuse treatment
(2016) Pinedo, Miguel
This two-year pilot study aimed to 1) to gain greater understanding of barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment among Whites, African Americans, and Latinos with lifetime substance abuse disorders; 2) to compare and contrast barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment by race/ethnicity and gender among participants with lifetime AUD; and 3) using findings from Aims 1 & 2, to develop a new quantitative scale to assess barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment
Is exercise the better alternative for stimulant medication in the treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder?
(2022-05-06) Altman, Gonie; Lalande, Sophie; Kaur, Jaseep
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) affects 3–7% of the child and adolescent population, and more recent studies show out of this population the disorder progresses into adulthood in 10–60%. A clear imbalance in the literature on ADHD has shown itself and the majority of studies focus on male diagnoses and symptoms (mADHD) over female diagnoses and symptoms (fADHD). Reasons as to why this gap exists is speculated to be due to differing symptom expression and/or misconception of sex impacts. Nevertheless, we know ADHD stems from a disruption of DA release within the frontal lobe which effects one’s cognitive processing and behavioral characteristics. The origin of this disruption is still unclear, but stimulant medications are the current gold standard in mitigating the low levels of DA found in individuals diagnosed with ADHD. Unfortunately, some individuals experience severe side effects and are intolerant to such medications, therefore, researchers are interested in finding more non-stimulant alternatives. A potential option is exercise due to its ability to augment the release of insulin growth factor (IGF) and brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). These neurotrophic factors improve cognitive function and are linked to estrogen levels, therefore BDNF can potentially explain the sex differences in symptomology and promote neurogenesis improved cognitive function.
Knowledge and training of speech-language pathologists regarding assessment and treatment considerations for singers
(2013-05) Badgett, Lynn Burnor; Byrd, Courtney T.
Purpose: The purpose of the present study was to examine SLPs' preparation to work with singers by examining their knowledge and training levels regarding vocal hygiene, assessment and treatment for singers, vocal pedagogy and competency in working with singers. Method: A 66-item survey designed to address the research questions was distributed via email to possible participants found through American Speech Language Hearing Association's (ASHA) "Find a Professional" service. Each email contained a password-protected web link to the survey, which was hosted on Survey Monkey. Results: The majority of participants reported low amounts of academic and clinical exposure to singers. The largest percentage demonstrated adequate knowledge of vocal hygiene, but had difficulty with knowledge items regarding assessment and treatment considerations for singers and vocal pedagogy. The majority expressed low levels of competency in working with singers. However, these effects appeared to be mediated by voice specialization. Voice specialists (VS), a subset of the total participants, were found to have received significantly more total hours studying voice and had significantly more voice clients, including singers, than non-voice specialists (NVS). A combination of academic and clinical exposure at the graduate level was found to lead to continued study regarding voice disorders and vocal function for singers. VS also reported higher levels of training in vocal pedagogy and performance and demonstrated significantly higher knowledge levels regarding assessment and treatment considerations for singers and vocal pedagogy than NVS. Similarly, they also reported higher overall competency in working with singers than the NVS. Conclusions: This preliminary data suggests that overall preparation to work with singers is somewhat lacking in most graduate programs. The majority of SLPs appears to retain information regarding vocal hygiene, but does not appear to remember some basic facts about the treatment of voice disorders. Improvements towards education in voice would serve as a worthy goal in improving SLP's service delivery in general to voice clients and singers. Additionally, providing more opportunities to work with voice clients and singers would also help better prepare SLPs as a whole to work with singers. Finally, a structured accreditation process to become a singing voice specialist (SVS) is sorely needed to ensure optimal service delivery to this unique population.
Narrative identity among contact versus non-contact sexual offenders
(2018-07-02) Hamilton, Emma Rae; Sanchez, Delida
The current study explored narrative roles among individuals convicted of a sexual offense. Narrative roles in a criminal context are defined as personal accounts utilized by offenders to justify illegal behavior. The chosen theoretical framework recognized four primary offender roles: Revengeful Mission/Romantic Quest, Professional, Victim, and Tragic Hero. Twenty-three interviews were conducted with sexual offenders (n = 11 contact, n = 12 non-contact) in order to explore and compare narrative roles between contact and non-contact offenders. Interviews were conducted using a phenomenological approach and coded via Framework Analysis, a qualitative data analytic method. Findings revealed a general pattern of narrative themes among offenders, along with a tendency for contact offenders to endorse Revengeful Mission/Romantic Quest narrative roles and non-contact offenders to endorse Tragic Hero narrative roles. Findings suggest that incorporating narrative roles into conceptualization and treatment of sexual offenders may help more effectively tailor treatments.
Network mechanisms underlying susceptibility to helplessness and response to the antidepressant fluoxetine
(2010-05) Padilla, Eimeira; González-Lima, Francisco, 1955-; Delville, Yvon; Domjan, Michael P.; Dominguez, Juan M.; Beevers, Christopher G.
Depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are common psychiatric comorbidities related to stress. These conditions are frequently treated with antidepressants such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI’s). However, there are individual differences in susceptibility to stress-induced psychopathologies and response to antidepressants. Therefore, there is a need to identify biologic factors that predict vulnerability to stress and response to treatment. Furthermore, few studies have examined the neural correlates of antidepressant treatment response in a stress-susceptible animal model. This dissertation had three specific aims: 1) to characterize behavioral predictors of stress vulnerability by studying three dimensions of temperament (reward dependence, novelty-specific activity and harm avoidance) before stress exposure using a stress-susceptible rat strain, 2) to identify the neural network effects of response and non-response to SSRI treatment using a stress-susceptible animal model, and 3) to determine the neurophysiologic correlates of helplessness susceptibility. This was examined via measurement of regional brain metabolic capacity and functional connectivity within relevant neural circuits, and measurements of corticosterone and heart rate. These effects were studied in rats that underwent inescapable shock exposure followed by escape testing. Holtzman rats showed greater predisposition to helpless behavior following inescapable shock compared to Sprague Dawley and Long-Evans strains. Also, increased activity in a novel environment and low heart rate appeared to be markers of helplessness susceptibility in Holtzman rats. Limbic-cortical network effects were identified that distinguished between responders and non-responders to antidepressant treatment in the Holtzman strain. Finally, hypermetabolism of the lateral habenula and a less interactive prefrontal-limbic cortex were identified in subjects with higher susceptibility towards helplessness within the Holtzman strain. Similar findings have been reported with other depression animal models and human neuroimaging studies. These findings support that the helpless dimension of mood disorders can be accurately modeled with the Holtzman rat strain and confirm that the lateral habenula and prefrontal cortex are key regions mediating the helpless phenotype and response to SSRI treatment.
Novel routes for cytomegalovirus diagnosis and treatment
(2017-05) Hilterbrand, Adam Thomas; Upton, Jason W.; Croyle, Maria A; Ehrlich, Lauren I; Huibregtse, Jon M; Sullivan, Christopher S
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) represents a massive burden on infected individuals and healthcare systems worldwide. Though HCMV is not normally disease causing in healthy individuals, it poses a significant threat to immunocompromised people and developing fetuses, causing a broad range of diseases due to its ability to infect several organ and tissue types. Current diagnostic and treatment modalities for HCMV are extremely limited in their scope. In the United States, HCMV testing is typically only done when one presents with possible HCMV-caused symptoms, as current methods are deemed unwarranted if no symptoms are presented in a patient. Additionally, if treatment is to be given, current antiviral drugs are limited to targeting only one aspect of HCMV’s replication cycle and, at times, can be rather toxic. As such, continued research and development is needed to create rapid, facile point–of-care diagnostics as well as identify new druggable targets to lessen the impact of infection. Utilizing a murine model system to study HCMV infection, we recently showed that precise detection of murine cytomegalovirus (MCMV) from the urine of infected mice was rapidly achieved through the use of a novel electrochemical immunoassay. By attaching glucose oxidase to an antibody recognizing MCMV, we readily detected MCMV at an electrode using chemistry similar to that used in modern day glucometers. Additionally, we characterized and identified a major role for a uniquely structured MCMV deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) during infection. When the virus lacked DUB activity, levels of a virally encoded pro-inflammatory chemokine increased, leading to the mutant DUB virus’ dramatic attenuation in mice. As this enzyme is incredibly important for MCMV pathogenesis and is highly conserved between MCMV and HCMV, it may serve as a viable target for antiviral therapies. Because HCMV infections persist for the lifetime of the individual, continued success in diagnosis and treatment of HCMV will be needed as long as humans exist as a species.
Predicting youth mental health treatment dropout : an examination of the role of treatment adherence and therapist competences
(2020-03-24) Baker, Nichole; Bearman, Sarah Kate
Dropout from youth mental health services is a significant concern that has been widely studied in the field. Previous research has examined a variety of client factors (age, gender, etc.) and some therapy process factors (perceived burden of treatment, alliance, etc.) that are potentially related to therapy dropout; however, the results are far from conclusive. With data gathered as part of a previous randomized controlled trial, multilevel modelling was used to examine the extent to which child age, race/ethnicity, problem area, income, baseline symptom severity, therapist discipline, and the therapy process factors of therapeutic alliance, adherence, and competence are predictive of dropout. Results indicated that of these factors, only problem area was a significant predictor. Caregiver-rated therapeutic alliance and race/ethnicity also approached significance
A proposal for a compassion based recovery program for chemical dependence
(2012-12) Silva, Joseph Anthony; Schallert, Diane L.; Neff, Kristin
This report is a proposal for a compassion based recovery program for the treatment of chemical dependence. Chemical dependency is a growing problem with many individuals and families worldwide. Mindfulness and self-compassion are two new constructs in the new wave of positive psychology that have shown to be effective in alleviating many of the symptoms that are related to those whom are chemically dependent This report will list the current approaches to the treatment of chemical dependency. This report will also define mindfulness and self-compassion as well as give a basic framework on how a compassion-based recovery program might look as well as a basic design on testing the effectiveness of such a program.
Qualitative interview guide: Understanding barriers to substance abuse treatment
(2016) Pinedo, Miguel
This two-year pilot study aimed to 1) to gain greater understanding of barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment among Whites, African Americans, and Latinos with lifetime substance abuse disorders; 2) to compare and contrast barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment by race/ethnicity and gender among participants with lifetime AUD; and 3) using findings from Aims 1 & 2, to develop a new quantitative scale to assess barriers to specialty substance abuse treatment.
Randomized clinical trial investigating the efficacy of self-administered interventions for reducing pathological academic worry
(2009-08) Wolitzky-Taylor, Kate Basia; Telch, Michael Joseph
Despite the ostensible prevalence of academic worry at the college and university level, there is a paucity of research in this area. In addition, there is an even greater dearth of research investigating treatments for excessive and uncontrollable academic worry. Further, the research on non-pharmacological treatment strategies for reducing pathological worry (as seen in its most severe form in generalized anxiety disorder; GAD) is limited. The primary goal of this study was to investigate the potential benefits of two self-administered interventions for reducing pathological academic worry. Participants experiencing pathological academic worry (N = 113) were randomized to one of four conditions: (a) worry exposure (WE), (b) expressive writing (EW), (c) a credible placebo control, consisting of pulsed audio-photic stimulation (APS), and (d) wait-list control (WLC). Participants were instructed to practice their interventions three times per week for one month. Participants in all three of the intervention conditions showed significant improvement on self-report measures, while no such changes were observed for the control group. Findings were mixed on the objective measures. In general, neither the WE nor EW conditions consistently outperformed placebo, and in some cases, EW failed to outperform the waitlist control group at post-treatment. Overall, those assigned to WE showed greater improvement than those assigned to EW at posttreatment, but few significant differences between the three intervention groups emerged at follow-up. These mixed findings suggest that either the efficacy of each of the treatments does not go beyond the that which would be expected of non-specific treatment effects, or that the pulsed audio-photic stimulation did in fact exert more of an effect than a typical placebo, suggesting there may have been an unanticipated active treatment component. Despite this, several participants in WE and EW showed marked improvement, and even continued improvement by follow-up, suggesting that, while perhaps not highly potent treatments when delivered in isolation, these may be easy, costeffective interventions for pathological worry. Further research is needed with clinical GAD samples, and research is also needed on the placebo response rate in GAD.